Sycamore v Nazareth Academy
- Thread starter Northking44
- Start date
Kaneland had success moving the ball through the air in the 1st half, scoring early on a 50yd pass. Kaneland moved the ball fairly well on drives, but Sycamore clamped down hard in their territory. In the 2nd half, it seemed like Sycamore was bringing more pressure and getting to the QB much quicker than they did in the 1st half. Not the most analytical summary of the game, but I'd guess teams would have better luck passing on Sycamore compared to running against them.
Naz's O-Line is far superior than Kaneland's, I imagine they'll be able to give their QB more time and sustain it throughout the game. Any time a QB can sit there in a pocket for longer than 4-5 seconds with minimal pressure, even the best defensive coverage will break down. Law of averages.
If they indeed play 1high it will make for an interesting day for Sycamore and will likely open up the running game with out breaking routes.
I was only able to see one defensive snap vs kaneland on maxpreps again 3 guys with their hand in the dirt. It was a one high look but it was also against trips so can't really tell. Also, I wasn't impressed with Kaneland's defense, corner was caught flatfooted on the long pass play and the amount of missed tackles I just saw in a 1 minute clip made my blood pressure sky rocket. I just went to the second half of carmel and can confirm it is a 3-4 with two high. Carmel had a score called back a simple drag route right under the backers went for big yards like 75ish.
It would seem like the passing game is the Achilles Heel and I am not sure they have seen a comparable passing game all year. If Naz can keep the pocket clear and the receivers make the plays they are supposed to, it could be an interesting day for Sycamore. This game, at least on paper and through my homer eyes, is looking a lot closer than the computers are having you think.
It would seem like the passing game is the Achilles Heel and I am not sure they have seen a comparable passing game all year. If Naz can keep the pocket clear and the receivers make the plays they are supposed to, it could be an interesting day for Sycamore. This game, at least on paper and through my homer eyes, is looking a lot closer than the computers are having you think.
2cloud or Tampa2? If the later their middle LB best be a stud. Is it really cover 2 or are they rotating the defense into multiple. Inquiring minds need to know!
Unfortunately, I do not believe an introduction was ever made; however I am from Naz and graduated well before we had turf and lights and before I had my two beautiful girls I could be seen in the South end zone on Saturday afternoons living vicariously through kids like your son and his two championship seasons. (Thank him again for me) I was one of the idiots that thankfully voted to join the ESCC while it didn’t work out for us that year (what a senior season to remember thank god for St Joes) I’m glad we made the move.
I believe Sterling completed 5 of their first 6 passes but went back to trying to run up the middle which went no where, they through 2 pics in the end zone as well. A passing team with a good O line will have the best chance at beating them.
Tuccs,
I was blessed with 4 sons, 3 of them played on that field and have fond memories of the School and the coaches. It’s hard to believe my youngest will be 21 in February. Seems like they were all bobble heads just yesterday. I’ve been blessed to spend saturdays with the Love family this fall and will be watching This weekends Naz game on my iPad while sitting in the college stands. Do we have a streaming feed for this game or is it through some horrid national site the IHSA gets paid by?
One of the pics was near the end of the game just trying to score as a small moral victory in itself.
Sterling, I’m really curious to scheme they ran for coverage and any blitz packages from your perspective.
I was hoping for a YouTube broadcast but I haven’t heard of one so the pay site is probably the case which means I’ll have to rely on you and the rest of the board for updates.
I’m sure we text in some of the same circles or at least have a few contacts in common and they have been more than generous with updates.
I will say In regards to your question of sterling, the front 7 gets after it. I am one to give credit where it is due as much as it pains me. I do think that is both a strength and a weakness though I am hoping we can exploit. If we can get some protection I feel play action will do very well against their aggressiveness. That also means getting a few good runs to keep them honest and respecting it. The more I play the game in my head the more I can’t put myself in a place where we lose by 2 scores let alone the 3 score spread we have seen in places.
I will say In regards to your question of sterling, the front 7 gets after it. I am one to give credit where it is due as much as it pains me. I do think that is both a strength and a weakness though I am hoping we can exploit. If we can get some protection I feel play action will do very well against their aggressiveness. That also means getting a few good runs to keep them honest and respecting it. The more I play the game in my head the more I can’t put myself in a place where we lose by 2 scores let alone the 3 score spread we have seen in places.
If I were a betting man I would take the money line in a heart beat because the upside is so big. That said I believe Naz wins by at least 3. I’ve been wrong about Naz twice in the last 8 years, once was the infamous mud bog in Woodstock and the other was in 2019 against The Caravan in a Monsoon. We will see how this young but developing team takes its next step on the frozen tundra. There was another time come to think of it, I had this team dead and buried after scoring 19 total points in their first 2 games this season and did not see a path to the playoffs…I’ve been impressed since eating that shoe.
I will admit I was very bearish on them after the ND game but optimistic they would find 5 wins and make a run. The Woodstock game is one of the main catalysts for my post about sycamore leaving sprinklers on but I’ve pretty much been promised that there isn’t a better playing surface in all of Illinois football turf fields included.
Sycamore hires snipers during the off-season who's sole purpose is to keep the field cleared. I don't know what kind of shape it'll be in Saturday with all the weather we've had, but I imagine it'll be in the best condition they can make it.
I also heard that the birds, when flying over Sycamore airspace, fly upside down so as not to shit on the field.
So I’m hearing that their coverage is mostly cover 4. Sounds like we are going to find out how good those LB’s really are and what their speed really looks like.
Ahh...thinking back that makes more sense as to what happened on the long carmel pass play. They are speedy as far as coming downhill and rallying to the ball, but the backers had a hard time staying with their guys on a few snaps. Also, their secondary seems to rely on the old throw a shoulder at the legs type of tackling once someone does break one so I think they will need to be a bit more sound back there.
The overall thing with Sycamore is the strength of their lines on both sides of the ball, they have good athletes but there isn't any standout players that I saw, just overall team strength, they will grind it out on offense 3-4 yards at a time and then eventually get that 50 yard play, their blockers block very well and are strong, it’s a slow churning offense that’s hard to stop, they will mainly run right at you because they can move the sticks that way but if they have to throw they can do that as well. On Defense once again it’s strength of the D line, they are over powering, nothing opens up and they get in the back field quick. If Naz can match their line strength I see this being a good game, The only weakness I saw was they did give up pass plays to Sterling but they eventually stalled out when going back to trying the run. Or throw for that matter. If Naz can match overall line strength it will be a good game.
Good analysis Sterling.
Gene and I talked about Sycamore in previous years and thought their style of play was like the old black and blue smash mouth CCL Blue division back in the day.
Definitely they have team physical strength.
Gene and I talked about Sycamore in previous years and thought their style of play was like the old black and blue smash mouth CCL Blue division back in the day.
Definitely they have team physical strength.
Epic,
Last time we play them in 2015 we blew them out 38-6. In 2013 it was a 5 pt loss 33-28 and the boys wouldn’t leave the field and pledged a state title the following year and were in the weight room the following Monday which was the genesis of this pretty decent run and Naz’s first title.
I am trying but have the three kids and I am being told it's going to be too cold for a 4 year old.
Why must schools have conferences on football Fridays?
Ok sure, I meant 2 games ago then. It's been awhile and my trips to LGP for playoff games have grown numerous and blend together.
Is WLBK going to carry today's game?
So you're saying there's a chance?
Coming from an impartial judge I watched the slow motion reply on this and it was clearly a hold.
